Handlebar Coffee Roasters

• Tour of Flanders •

SUNDAY - APRIL 4, 2021
263.7KM / 163.9MI

The second monument of the season, the Tour of Flanders, or Ronde Van Vlaanderen, is a road cycling race held in Belgium each spring. For the Flemish people, this tour is a manifestation of their passion for cycling and love of their country.

The Tour of Flanders started in 1913 at the hand of the co-founder of a Flemish sports paper, Sportwereld. At the time of its creation, cycling in Belgium was in poor state. Accordingly, the Flemish felt it necessary to create a race entirely run on their soil to liberate their people and empower their cities. Through world wars, occupations, and terrain access issues, the tour emerged resolutely.

The terrain follows a succession of flat, hilly and cobblestone roads that span the Flemish countryside. The steepest of the Ronde Van Vlaanderen cobblestone climbs is the 5.5 mile long Koppenberg. As with many classic cycling races, the route has developed and evolved through time. No single rider has won more than three times, proving how difficult the race truly is. Taking home a win doesn’t involve being the strongest rider, but requires a mix of tactical strategy, smarts, team support and luck.

The Tour of Flanders is truly an iconic race that has withstood the test of time. This 105th year should be, like many before, a spectacle to behold!
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Tuesday’s at Handlebar ☕️
What are you ordering for your morning pick me up?
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Now, more than ever, music means everything to us. What have you been listening to?
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in the Arch Hat
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• Louison Bobet •

Some would say Louison is arguably the best French cyclist of all time. He is best remembered for being the first to win three consecutive Tour de France titles, which he achieved in 1953, 1954 & 1955.

• Other Titles of Louison Bobet •

World Champion - 1954
Paris - Roubaix - 1956
Milan - San Reno - 1951
Tour of Flanders - 1955
Tour of Lombardy - 1951

In all, Louison Bobet won four out of five Monuments of cycling. Bobet was blessed with natural ability and a smooth pedaling stroke, but to many it was his dedication that made him a champion.
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Peaceful mornings at our Canon Perdido cafe ☕️
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• Mount Figueroa •

68 KM/42 MI
1,430M ELEVATION

The Mount Figueroa Loop is one of the best-known rides in the region - and it is a beast!

With an average gradient at around 8% for 16KM, it is one of the toughest Southern California cycling climbs. It is also one of the most beautiful. Climbing this loop by bike is a serious endeavor, but conquer it and you’ll be rewarded with epic views across the Los Padres National Forest and the San Rafael Mountains.

The unsurpassed highlight of this ride is the views from Mount Figueroa over the rippling spines and ridges of the San Rafael Wilderness. The hills roll on as far as the eye can see and their sheer volume is impressive.
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Handlebar custom water bottles are in stock online and in both of our cafes!
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• Milan - Sanremo •

Saturday - March 20, 2021
298 Kilometers/185.2 Miles

Milano-Sanremo is the first Monument of the season, and it is the longest professional, one-day race in modern cycling. This race is considered a sprinters classic because of its mainly flat course.

The first edition Milano-Sanremo was held on April 14, 1907. Sixty riders registered, but only 33 took the start with 14 riders crossing the finish line. The inaugural contest was especially difficult as it was affected by exceptionally cold weather. The winner of the first Milano-Sanremo was Lucien Petit-Breton, who reached the finish line in 11 hours and 4 minutes. It was the beginning of an immense chapter in the history of cycling.
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• Costante Girardengo •

Born in Novi Ligure, Italy in 1893, Girardengo was a Legend in his time. He won Milan-San Remo a total of six times ( a record that would stand for 50 years only to be toppled by Eddy Merckx - many of whom consider to be the greatest of all time). Costante won the Giro d’Italia two times and an amazing 30 stage wins. He also won the Italian National Road Championships nine times in total, including seven consecutive victories.

His palmarès are too long to list, even with his career being interrupted by the First World War. After retiring from his illustrious career, he went on to coach the Italian National Team and even coached fellow countryman Gino Bartali, helping him win the 1938 Tour de France.
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Morning oat milk mocha on the beach by 🏝
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Where do you bring your Handlebar?
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Happy Sunday! It’s the perfect day for an outdoor adventure and to explore the challenge of Gibraltar Road.

Gibraltar Road is a world-class climb only minutes away from downtown Santa Barbara. Most of the road is the climb so be ready for some hillwork if you want to try this one!

For runners, Gibraltar Road is the route of the famous Pier to Peak half-marathon. From the top, you get some of the best views of Santa Barbara and its surrounding areas, and there is definitely a sense of accomplishment once completed!
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Jiant Hard Kombucha is a great way to freshen up your weekend ☀️

Sourced using the highest quality organic ingredients, this 100% jun kombucha made with green tea and real, simple ingredients is now available at both of our cafes!

Stop by for your morning cup coffee and grab a can for your afternoon delight 💛
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One of the most riveting races of the year is happening this weekend!

The Strade Bianche is a road cycling race in Tuscany, starting and finishing in Siena. The name Strade Bianche (Italian for White Roads) stems from the historic white gravel roads in the Crete Senesi, which are a defining feature of the race. One third of the total race distance is raced on dirt roads, covering 63km, spread over 11 sectors.

Despite it’s short history (first held in 2007) the Strade Bianche has quickly gained prestige. The event is part of the UCI World Tour, cycling’s highest level of professional road races.
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Handlebar Arch Hats spotted in the wild all the way from Idaho!
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Friends and family! Please be sure to send us your photos sporting Handlebar merchandise on your adventures 😄
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• Arthur Ashe •

Amidst all the convulsions America experienced in 1968 - the shocking assassinations, the violent protests, the atrocities in Vietnam - revolution rumbled even through the genteel world of men’s tennis. The unexpected messenger was a slender, bespectacled 25-year-old Army lieutenant on temporary leave from his post at West Point.
His name? Arthur Ashe.

The revolution Ashe instigated would be felt not only on the court of play, but in broader social and political spheres. He was the Jackie Robinson of men’s tennis, piercing the exclusivity of a lily-white sport and shouldering burdens that tested his character and resolve at every turn. He emerged at the height of the U.S. civil rights movement to become the first African-American male to win a Grand Slam. Ashe, still an amateur in 1968, won the U.S. Open that year, the first-ever year of the tournament. But he didn’t stop there. He went on to dominate his sport, to help desegregate it - and then to transcend it, becoming a fierce and eloquent activist for an array of causes including civil rights, economic empowerment, opposition to apartheid, and AIDS awareness.
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• Aretha Franklin •

Aretha Franklin will forever be remembered as the legendary Queen of Soul, but her 6 decade career (during which she won 18 Grammy awards and was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame) isn’t the only legacy she leaves behind. The musical icon was also an integral part of the Civil Rights movement, using both her platform and her voice to advocate for racial equality.

In 1967, Franklin released “Respect”, arguably her most famous song, which became an anthem for racial and gendered political movements of the time. She said in her memoir, Aretha:
From These Roots:
“It reflected the need of a nation, the need of the average man and woman in the street, the businessman, the mother, the fireman, the teacher - everyone wanted respect.”
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• Bob Marley •

Marley’s contribution to music and steadfast dedication to uniting the world has carried on long after his passing 1981.
From his legendary bravery of performing at the Smile Jamaica Festival just two days after he and his band were attacked by an unknown gunman, to his album “Survival” where Marley spoke of the struggles of Africa and especially the Black man’s role in that battle. His song “Zimbabwe” instantly became the battle cry for the soldiers who fighting to end apartheid in Africa. With Bob’s words inspiring them along the way, the independence of the nation was finally won and celebrated in 1980. Marley performed this and many other anthems at the Zimbabwe Independence Celebration and, in true Bob Marley fashion, used his own funds to support the cause and make the memorable performance happen.

There are so many major impacts Bob Marley made to inspire unity and peace throughout the world. With his many accomplishments and contributions, Marley cements his place in history as a voice of freedom, of unity, and overcoming the struggle.

• Nelson Mandela •

The South African activist and former president, Nelson Mandela helped bring an end to apartheid in his country and has been a global advocate for human rights.
A member of the African National Congress party beginning in the 1940s, he was a leader of both peaceful protests and armed resistance against the white minority’s oppressive regime in a racially divided South Africa. His actions landed him in prison for nearly three decades and made him the face of the antiapartheid movement both within his country and internationally. Released in 1990, he participated in the eradication of apartheid and in 1994 became the first black president of South Africa, forming a multiethnic government to oversee the country’s transition.
After retiring from politics in 1999, he remained a devoted champion for peace and social justice in his own nation and around the world until his death in 2013 at the age of 95.
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The Wacaco Nanopresso is a lightweight, durable, packable espresso maker ready to handle any adventure!
This is a perfect addition to any coffee lovers toolkit ☕️
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Sold in a number of color options at both of our locations!

Making dinner at home this weekend? Handlebar has you covered for all your pasta night needs! 🍝
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Stop by one of our locations for delicious olive oil and balsamic vinegars, pasta sauce made from organically farmed tomatoes in Yolo County, CA, De Cecco pasta and a fantastic, local bottle of wine.
All found in our marketplace!